Steelers Blog

Steelers’ running back Rashard Mendenhall was suspended for this week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys and on Wednesday Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the suspension. Tomlin spoke about the suspension after practice, stating that Mendenhall did not attend the Steelers-Chargers game at Heinz Field last Sunday, but did not field any questions.

“Last Sunday, he was not at the game,” said Tomlin. “I deemed those actions a detriment to our efforts. I stated as such when I met with him that there were going to be repercussions with it. It was a good visit. He accepted it. He looks forward to coming back and rejoining his team on Monday and being a positive contributor to our efforts the rest of the way.

“Obviously there is frustration with his situation, understandably. But we all have a job to do. I require that all guys remain professional regardless of personal circumstances. He didn’t meet the standard in that regard, and he accepted the consequences of it. Hopefully this will be a lesson learned, not only for him but for everyone, and we will be able to move on from it. Right now, our focus is on the guys that are here and their preparation in an effort to pursue victory this weekend.”

Mendenhall was inactive for Ravens and Chargers games, and will not play for the third straight week because of the suspension.

he was suspended Sarah HG because he didn’t show up the game and he didn’t show up to the game because he was mad the Coach Tomlin benched him for fumbling after the browns game. Atleast that’s what i think happnend. Hope it’s helpful and you are in the loop now.

He turned into a sour puss just because he was demoted to 3rd string. I prefer to have Dyer and Redman 1 and 2….Mendenhall was not doing much of anything last 2 years and was on the decline anyways. Batch is also starting and Rainey can do the job as well…..so all is good, not a big loss

Mendenhall SHOULD BE GONE HE PROVED THAT BY NOT SHOWING UP TO THE GAME???????????? Give me a break!!!! Let him and his ego go!!!!! KEEP DWYER, RAINEY, BATCH!!!!!!!!!!!! AND LETS MOVE ON!!!!!!!!!!!! CASE CLOSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I support coach Tomlin, he must keep the dressing room free of these negative vibes. I think that we need to weed out these players who are not conributing and unhappy. Mendenhall is no longer our star running back and I think that he is acting out in protest.

I do like Dwyer. I liked him since seeing him in pre-season his rookie year. Personally I don’t think Redman is our answer as the #2 guy, or maybe it’s that our offensive line just don’t push the pile to get those 3rd and shorts for him. I think if Mendenhall will humble himself and come in like he is a newbie fighting for a job he’ll be good. Right now he looks to me like he thinks he is the BUS and we can’t win without him, and we all know that ain’t so. All that said, I still don’t understand the benching for fumbling being that all our running backs did the same things that night against Cleveland. Terrible night for us all.

Mendenhall needs to be released! He thinks he is better than what he is in reality. Dwyer is doing a good job and seems to be playing like he is trying to prove something. Maybe trade Mendenhall and get a draft pick and use it for some young defensive player. Defense needs the help.

Mendenhall has been proving himself to Steeler Nation ever since we drafted him so high. He had to show that he wasn’t a flash in the pan behind Willie Parker and Jerome Bettis. His fumble in the Super Bowl was DEVASTATING!! The Steelers are more than a team or jus

Mendy has fumbled balls, Twitter posts and now team building. Clearly his lack of focus and thinking things through has negatively affected his time on the field as well as his reputation amongst the fans. Willie Parker copped an attitude and what did that get him……benched. Mendenhall is either stubborn or a slow learner..either way his time in the Black N Gold is about over.

As a manager of strong-willed individuals, I appreciate Coach Tomlin’s decision and brief explanation. Rashard Mendenhall was not productive on the field for an extensive period (2 years). His off-the-field actions may have encouraged Coach’s decision.

Let’s applaud Coach Tomlin and use his actions as an example of distinguished Steeler’s coaching decisions. Job well done.

As in the past…if you arent a team player youhave to pay the price. No one player is bigger than the team. Keep your mouth shut and do your job and you wont have a problem. Rashard Mendenhall does not run the show. Coach does and the sooner he gets that the better. Yes we can use him because when hes good hes a great contributor . That said hopefully he will GET IT and be back to help out next week. If not he may be going the way of Santonio Holmes.

Hello ..Steelers Fans….We all know that the team can go to the playoffs this season…So the players need 2 take a better look at the way they are playing on the field….( ” Here we Go Steelers Here we Go” ) Have a great Christmas Holiday.

@Jeff, I don’t think Mendenhall was benched for fumbling because – as you stated – all of the backs fumbled in the Browns game. I think he was benched for lack of production. The other backs, especially Dwyer, have been more effective. You can only stay at the top of the depth chart if you keep running well. Mendenhall hasn’t been doing that. On top of that, his fumbles are more about technique. He doesn’t carry the ball safely and using the fundamentals. And then to top it all off, he seems to have an attitude problem. I think his days are numbered as a Steeler.

I am more concerned with the performance of the rest of the team. There is trouble in paradise. I don’t think Mendenhall is the whole problem, although certainly he was one of them.He alone is not responsible for losing to the worst teams in the NFLI think that it’s Mr. Haley’s wornout offensive gameplans. We lost to Oakland, Denver, San Diego and almost K.C. All AFC west all familiar with Mr. Haley’s offense. Think about it .Am I wrong?